Sunday, March 15, 2009

♣♣Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!♣♣

I started the day with a little breakfast..the sheep is from the Aran Isles, and contributed the place mat...some soda bread, fresh strawberries, bacon and egg...not baaaa...d!

Some of my Irish things in a little vignette..the Belleek vase and Belleek plate on the stand.., gifts from my dear dil..the little Irish angel, from my childhood friend, Pat...It is very old..made by Lefton...I treasure it, like our friendship...

You've met Spud, he is dressed in his green finery..

Some of you may remember Spud.... had to go to rehab....after this unfortunate incident..

But he has totally reformed, and now a tea drinker...

He likes this blend..

With a few shamrock sweets

My friend Carol says this guy looks like he is wearing a squirrel on his lip..ah, but it was magically delicious...

I use this green footed compote from Villeroy and Boch for my centerpiece..

Put oasis in the bowl, and fill with greens...here the only thing green is pachysandra , so that will be it..

Take your fresh flowers, I used mums and baby's breath, and fill in the bowl..decorate with ribbon or picks,

The table is set....actually, a few..The dark green is Noritake, Fitzgerald..It is a very deep green with gold..

The white and gold .. is Noritake too. The glasses and pitcher are Waterford, Lismore..

The name place markers are little black urns...I got them after Cmas in Pier One, pulled out the little arrangement that was in it, put in oasis and fresh flowers and wrote the name on a shamrock..this one says Seamus, my grandfather's name and my 3 yo grandson's too!

This was for a casual dinner last night...I made the napkin rings from wood shamrocks, painted them and then added dots..

I embroidered Happy St. Patrick's Day on them with my machine..no, I didn't..I still haven't figured out how to use it...I got them in Home Goods..:)

We had shamrock meatloaf, and clover biscuits..I couldn't put the sauce on till we were ready to eat, or else it would have been a red shamrock...

Tonight you have your choice of soups...

Broccoli with cheddar cheese soup...

or Pea Soup with ham...

And of course, Long Ireland Clam Chowder..:)

Save room for the soda bread and oatmeal bread along with the corned beef, potatoes and cabbage..

I make the cabbage differently..

Fry a few slices of bacon in a pan till crisp.Remove the bacon and some of the drippings.Place thinly sliced cabbage, sliced onions, salt, pepper and a few dashes of powdered mustard in the pan and saute.Remove to serving platter, and crumble the crisp bacon over the top...

Thank you so much for coming...Hope you'll come again...Please visit the other blogs listed here..and enjoy the parties...Happy St. Patrick's Day ! Blog carefully..:)Share the Fun! sign up below for the blog crawl...and we'll be right over! ♣After you do your post, copy that link below...You can use the Leprechaun logo or not, but please include a link back here in your post so your visitors can see the other fun entries...:)

You really overdid it.wowow.Am I impressed.Gollum told me to come as I was last Friday,I thought.eek!I feel kinda lazy now. You REALLY did a super job.Even the meat was shaped like a shamrock.And I was willing to believe you embroidered them.Gullable,aren't I?haha...Ann

Kathleen – You surpassed everything I imagined you would have! Your tablescapes were stunning, The dark green Noritake and the white and gold were my favorites! Also the Shamrock Meatloaf!! My darlin Irish Lass you are a magnificent hostess for this event.. my eyes started watering up with ‘Danny Boy’. THANK YOU !!!!

Looking good! You really out did yourself. I love your dishes..Fitzgerald. Well I love all of them. You have so many neat accessories and so many great ideas. I have some little urns I bought at the dollar store I need to make into a little arrangement. You have given me inspiration to do that! Your St. Patricot Cream cake is pure genius! And it looks delicious.

Poor spuds..I do have a soft spot for him......

What a blast Kathleen..super party! I think you might need some help washing all of the dishes though :-)

Kathleen, I'll be coming to ye party, now, lassie! Ye know I don't know a bloomin' thing about cookin', but ay, I do know a thing or two about eatin'! And I love a good party. Gettin' my offerings ready for St. Paddy's Day!

Wow Kathleen! What a fabuolous St. Patrick's Day post. The settings and the decorations are so much fun. All your food looks so darn good. I love the clover shapes...what fun. Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day tomorrow!!

How wonderful this looks, the food and the decor! I love all of your green and ST. Patrick's Decor, and aren't you clever to shape th emeat into a shamrock? I saved your cabbage recipe. This was a fun party. laurie

Kathleen, what a wonderful and FUN post! You really did it up big time...all those beautiful Irish things you have have definitely set the mood for the party! I love the tablesettings & the shamrock meatloaf :) You really make nice floral arrangements too, I keep meaning to tell you that.

I loved it all but haven't had time to think about my offering to the party yet. I will post something tomorrow afternoon though.

May those who love us, love usAnd those who don't love us,May God turn their heartsAnd if he can't turn their hearts,May he turn their anklesSo we will know them by their limping!

I was telling my husband tonight that St. Pat's is my all time favorite celebration. Your party is absolutely fabulous! I love the food and can't wait to try the recipes...but all of the pictures were wonderful and heartwarming.Thanks for hosting a GREAT St. Paddy's Day event!

I'm sorry that I didn't realize that you were having a party! I would have invited myself. I love all things Irish, that includes my Mom. I was married on the 20th 33 years ago. It would have been on St. Patrick's day but it was in the middle of the week:( Today I'll be making Irish soda bread, watching parades and the shopping cannel to get some Irish goodies!Happy St. Patrick's day (Oh, by the way, my given name is Kathleen)

I wish I were on 'Long Ireland' today! I would boldy knock on your door and beg to be invited in to oogle the dishes, say hi to Spud and perhaps be persuaded to have a wee morsel. Everything looks so grand! Happy St. Patrick's Day! NancyPS: I gave up beer for Lent again this year...I'm gonna have to rethink that Lenten sacrifice for next year!

T*H*I*S was just TOOOO FABULOUS & FUN, Kathleen!!! ABSOLUTELY S*T*U*N*N*I*N*G, from start-to-finish, top-to-bottom, side-to-side, soup-to-nuts~~~ HOPE you get the idea how much this particular posting was enjoyed by THIS Irishman's wife!!!!!! (And oh! Those DISHES!!! I TRULY died & went to heaven JUST LOOKING at them!!! May I ask where I could purchase some??? Yes, "my name is Linda, and I am a DISHAHOLIC"). I am just now, these days, beginning to celebrate more enthusiastically the things I didn't before... So grateful to be alive & well, it seems like I now want to take EVERY opportunity to make life FULLER at every turn, for those I love and myself, and enjoy every chance to CELEBRATE "anything" worth celebrating... making a bigger deal out of "little things" & giving more of myself to others~~~(Makes life sooooo much more interesting & exciting at every turn, doesn't it?). MAXIMUM SINCERE THANKS for a MOST ENJOYABLE read, and BEAUTIFUL VISUAL FEAST!!! ~~~WOW!!!~~~ Linda

You really know how to celebrate!!! Loved your post. Especially the bunny rehab, too funny. I loved the clover shaped meatloaf, may just have to make it for dinner since I don't like corn beef and cabbage. But I do love meatloaf. Thanks for sharing. I loved it all!!!

You never cease to amaze me, Kathleen! Another fantastic celebration, always a fun time with you! Loved all the tables leading up to the big day, and this one was tops! Great post! Now get yourself out to the stores to pick up next years tablescape :)

Wow girl - you sure know how to throw a party. But I knew that already, how can it not turn out perfectly with your delicious food, beautiful tablescape and great decorations. It's been wonderful seeing 'Spud' and him and shared a cup of tea *grin*. Now I'm off to check out all the other party goers :o)Happy St.Patrick's Day and have a wonderful evening,Tam

Kathleen, I know where to eat next St. Patrick's Day! You went over the top, but that doesn't surprise me at all. You are a true Irish lass, who enjoys a good celebration. And thank you for the Irish soda bread recipe. We really enjoyed it, and it will be on our menu next St. Patty's day.

Oh Kathleen! Everything is perfect down to the last detail! Your home is beautifully decorated, the tablescapes are so festive and the food looks yummy! Sorry I missed the party...just coming back after a little bloggy break! Hope you are having a good week!...hugs...Debbie

I'm a little late...but you put an awesome tablescape together...and the food, my goodness, you are awesome. Now Spud is cracking me up...with the "unfortunate incident," that is soooo funny! Love this.

Oh my goodness! You did not miss a thing! I am a little late making the rounds this week but your tables and St. Patty's day dinner is out of this world! I enjoyed every single picture and all the little spring touches with St. Patty's day flair! I can not believe you shaped that meatloaf into a shamrock! Incredible talent, that's what you have! Awesome.Alisa